Robotic Transplant

Robotic surgery combines the precision of technology with the expertise of the surgeon. Robotics is revolutionizing many areas of medicine, including transplant and complex surgery. And the results are life-changing.

Laparoscopic surgery is becoming the procedure of choice for live donor kidney transplants. With this minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon makes a few small incisions and inserts a camera and other robotic tools to remove the kidney. Once detached, the kidney can be taken out through a three-inch incision below the waistline.

Robotic surgery reduces discomfort, speeds up recovery and leaves smaller scars than conventional open surgery. Donors leave the hospital in two days and get back to normal activities within weeks.

Live Donor Liver Transplants

Live liver donor surgery is becoming more common. With this procedure, the surgeon removes part of the donor’s liver and immediately places it in the recipient. Many of these transplants are now done as laparoscopic surgery.  

Whipple Procedures

A Whipple procedure is an intricate surgery to remove part of the pancreas, as well as the gallbladder, part of the small intestine, part of the stomach and some lymph nodes. With traditional open surgery, a large incision is made in the abdomen to remove the organs. The remaining organs are then reconnected.

For the laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions into the abdomen. A camera and small robotic instruments are inserted so the organs can be removed and reconnected.

Dr. Yee Lee Cheah and Dr. Caroline Simon performed the first robotic Whipple procedure at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center. They also started a robotics program for hepatobiliary surgery.